Comments

If the base X5 gets a 360hp 4.8L, I wonder if there will be a different engine option for whatever replaces the 4.8is? I hate to see the '07 base X5 cranking more horsepower than my '05 4.8is (355hp), although if it's bigger and heavier maybe the '07 won't be as quick.

lol... so true...i agree bmw should make 3rd row optional, not standard.

Why? Will the 3rd row adversely affect X5 performance/handling? I dont think so unless you 6th and 7th passenger are a bit on the portly side.

Image? What image? I believe BMW would solely manufacture sport sedans and wagons if marketing/sales were not important! The fact is the market is MOST IMPORTANT and most successful SUVs do have a third row.

Give me your reasons why a 3rd row should be optional? If the new X5 had only two rows it makes much more sense to buy a Touring 5 series xi or if you're more frugal a Touring 3 series xi, assuming performance/handling is your priority.

Why? Because not everyone wants one! I don't want one, so why should I be forced to pay for one? The X5 is primarily a Sport Activity Vehicle. Not Sport Utility. Most people that are interested in maximum passenger hauling don't look to the X5 as their primary choice. There are plenty of other fine vehicles designed for that purpose. People buy X5 for the styling, the image, the performance, the handling. Basically all the attributes of a BMW sedan, but with an elevated driving position, and all-weather capability. They want to look good, and feel good, driving one. They don't care that they can't haul 6 friends along, or carpool with the neighbors' snotty kids!

Besides, most 3rd row seats in an SUV are only suitable for amputees. :mad:

i just dont want it, sure i can remove it but who wants to pay for something they dont want...plus it means the new x5 will have to be a lot longer in size, and to me it simply blows, the current dimensions are almost perfect imo.

i do agree however with the statement, what the market wants the market gets, but guess what, the merc ML doesnt have 3rd row anymore since most customers dont want it. it might be a good sign...

plus it means the new x5 will have to be a lot longer in size, and to me it simply blows, the current dimensions are almost perfect imo.

We dont know yet how extended the dimensions could be with a 3rd row. If you want better dimensions/weight in order to have better performance/handling then the x3, future Acura RDX and Audi Q5 may be most suitable for your needs.

ML doesnt have 3rd row anymore since most customers dont want it.

There is a reason for no 3rd row on the new ML. The reason is called the newer MB RL. A 3rd row ML would cannibalize sales of the higher priced RL Minivan or SAV or whatever you want to call it.

at a bookstore the other day and was browsing through the latest issue of Car and Driver and they have a roughly 20 model sneak preview on new cars coming out till 2007. They had a picture of the new X5 and I'm not too happy with the looks.

There was also a picture of a new BMW called the V5, which will be a competitor to ther R Class. It will have the third row seat that some of you don't or do want.

There were also pictures of a new Audi coupe called the R9, I think, and also a picture of the next Lexus LS.

Pick up an issue today. It's the one with the 6 supercar comparison test on the front.

My wife is looking to replace her 330xi with an SAV/SUV. New 6month old, and working a child seat makes the front seat of it barely usable.

We looked at XC90 V8 and a X5 4.4. Since the XC90 has a third row of seats we noticed a few things:

1. The third seat, if it goes into the floor, takes up potential space. They are also not removeable.2. The second row seat backs on the XC90 are farther forward than they should/could be. IE the seatback is 2-3 inches in front of the C-pillar/door frame as compared to flush on the X5 and my Jeep Grand Cherokee. (salesman says that is so the 3rd row rides far enough forward so that their heads don't hit the rear window.)3. On an XC90, you can give the 3rd row more leg room, but you take it from the second row seats (the 2nd row seats move back and forth a few inches.)4. 3rd row seats are really only good for pre-teen kids, but they are all in seats/boosters and I really don't want to be belting a squirmy kid into that third row seat. Plus, if you have feral neighboorhood kids hitchhicking, don't you need booster seats for them under 100#s???? (Also, does that mean that Calista Flockheart still has to be belted into a booster seat?)

I thought the XC90 was going to be the solution. Just as powerful as an X5, all those safety features, not having to deal with "Oh, you drive a BeeeHeMMMMMMuhhhDoubleU", about ten grand cheaper, and not the last year of a model run.

Not so clear now. Leaning towards X5.

3rd row seats, to me, are excuses people use to get the smaller SUVs they want, when they really should be getting Tahoes or MDXs. "Really honey, we can put your grandmother on oxygen and a walker into the 3rd row."

The Volvo guy said "Even if you don't use the third (turd) row everyday, you can use it to pick up family at the airport." And I'm just thinking, instead of compromising my everyday driver, I'll just get a limo to pick them up.